The Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana has voiced strong objections to the recent announcement by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) regarding the discontinuation of its Cocoa Road construction program. COCOBOD revealed that, following the completion of ongoing projects, it would no longer engage in road construction activities, citing that it falls outside the institution’s core mandate.
Speaking to Citi News, Nana Oboadie Boateng Bonsu, President of the Concerned Farmers Association, emphasized the potential adverse effects of this decision on both cocoa production and the livelihoods of rural communities. Bonsu expressed his concerns, stating, “If care is not taken, the country will collapse. A lot of foodstuffs come from Dwaboso, Besem, and the rest. So if they are stopping the road construction, how can the people from Boso-Nkwanta and the rest, which is the cocoa growing area, bring their foodstuffs to the various communities or to the neighboring cities and districts for people to enjoy? Their roads have been deprived of tarring, and they are very dangerous.”
Bonsu went on to highlight the disconnection between COCOBOD’s decisions and the needs of the actual cocoa farmers. “I think COCOBOD has people that they engage, but I am talking about the real farmers on the ground, the concerned farmers, cocoa farmers, and even those of us who are helping to ensure that the cocoa is well established. Nobody touches the cocoa trees in this country, and they don’t even care about us. Even when we give them our reports, they don’t even respond.”
The Concerned Farmers Association is urging COCOBOD to reconsider its decision and to take into account the vital role that well-maintained roads play in facilitating the transportation of cocoa and other agricultural products from rural areas to markets and communities.
This development has sparked a debate about the balance between COCOBOD’s core mandate and its role in supporting the overall agricultural ecosystem. The concerns raised by the farmers shed light on the intricate web of dependencies within Ghana’s agricultural sector and the potential consequences of decisions that may impact rural communities’ access to essential infrastructure.
As the debate continues, stakeholders are eagerly awaiting a response from COCOBOD to address the concerns of the Concerned Farmers Association and to assess the potential ramifications of the decision to halt the Cocoa Road construction program
Source:citinews